The city of Mount Vernon is shoring up its junk vehicles
regulations.
City Council approved Monday a revision in the ordinances
regulating inoperable, unregistered and junk vehicles. The revision tightened
up some of the laws, but mostly it clarified things so residents can understand
what can and can’t be done with those types of vehicles.
An inoperable vehicle is any motor vehicle or trailer, which
for a period of 72 consecutive hours or more is not capable of being safely
operated on public streets; is missing essential mechanical parts; is disabled
due to flat tires, broken windows or collision damage; or is otherwise
non-functional.
The law also includes unregistered vehicles, junk vehicles,
trailers, recreational vehicles and off-road vehicles and yard equipment that cannot
be used on public roadways.
The main part of the issue is the storage and parking of
those types of vehicles on a public street, alley or right of way within the
city limits. They may also not be permitted to park on private property unless
they are stored in a fully enclosed building, it is covered and screened from
public view by a fence or vegetation at least 6 feet in height, or under active
repair or restoration and the work is completed with 14 consecutive days.
No person is allowed to park those vehicles on an unimproved
surface. It must be on asphalt, concrete, pavers or gravel to prevent ruts,
erosion and vegetation growth.
Once someone is determined to have an inoperable vehicle by
the Mount Vernon Code Enforcement Department, they have 10 days to correct the
situation. If they owner fails to comply within 10 days, the city may issue
civil citations for each day the violation continues or remove the vehicle at
the owner’s expense.
In other news, council:
•Authorized the auditor to make a supplemental appropriation
for $75,000 thanks to an increase in the bed tax.
•Authorized the sale of vehicles from the Mount Vernon
Police Impound lot on govdeals.com. There are 12 vehicles that will be sold,
including two former police vehicles.
•Approved the city’s participation in the Ohio Treasurer’s
online checkbook program.
•Renamed a fund for grants to probation department grants
and appropriated $37,500 to the new line.
•Had a first reading on a resolution that would seek bids
for the demolition of buildings along South Sandusky as part of the Route 13
relocation project.
•Authorized the transfer fee simple title of two parcels of commercial
real estate on Coshocton Avenue to the Knox County Land Bank.
•Granted a supplemental easement to AEP near Arch Park. AEP
is replacing transmission lines from the Pittsburgh Avenue substation that goes
through Arch Park.
•Had a first reading on a resolution to submit, with Clinton
Township, an application to Ohio Public Works Commission Capital Improvement
Program for funding for the Crystal Avenue water main extension project.
•Modified the tax budget for the city, as the city is
projected to receive more money from property taxes this year.
•Appointed representatives of City Council to the city’s
compensation review commission.
•Gave a second reading on an ordinance accepting the
vacation of an alley between East Vine, Oak, Boynton and Duke streets. A public
hearing will be held prior to the third reading and vote.
•Issued a tax-exempt special obligation public
infrastructure revenue bonds by the New Community Authority for $3.4 million.
The bonds will help with the infrastructure and building of Liberty Crossing,
which includes the construction of 93 single-family homes, 42 patio homes, 112
townhomes and 228 multi-family housing units on Newark Road.
